The National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has issued a reminder to Egyptian customers regarding the payment of customs duties on imported mobile devices. In a recent announcement, the NTRA emphasized that users must pay a customs duty of 37.5 percent on their imported phones by 7 April 2025.
The breakdown of the required fees includes:
- 14 percent value-added tax (VAT)
- 10 percent customs fees
- 5 percent resource development fees
- 5 percent fees for NTRA
Failure to comply with this payment will result in the permanent suspension of the devices from all mobile networks in Egypt.
Sherif El-Kelany, Deputy Minister of Finance, revealed that a staggering 95 percent of mobile phones in the Egyptian market are smuggled, resulting in an estimated loss of USD 1.2 billion (EGP 60 billion) in tax revenue for the country.
In addition to the payment deadline, the NTRA has collaborated with the Egyptian Customs Authority to implement new procedures for the registration of imported phones. These regulations clarify that imported phones are not subject to new taxes; however, owners will be responsible for customs fees if the devices are intended for commercial use rather than personal consumption.
